Amid criticism, Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi retracts 'anti-Hindu' statement & expresses regret
Bengaluru, Nov 9: Karnataka Congress Working President Satish Jarkiholi, who is in the eye of a political storm for his statement on the origins of the word Hindu and its "dirty meaning", on Wednesday withdrew the remark and expressed "regret" if it has hurt anyone's sentiments.
Pointing out that his statement was only referring to what has been written and published, the MLA from Yamakanmardi constituency wrote a letter addressed to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai alleging that some vested interests were trying to project him as "anti-Hindu", and sought an inquiry into it.
Jarkiholi is under intense criticism, including from his own party, for his remarks, and the ruling BJP on Wednesday held statewide protests condemning him and the Congress.
Noting that his statement was based on Wikipedia, books, dictionaries, and writings by historians, the former minister said in the letter, "Some vested interests are trying to project me as anti Hindu and are conspiring to destroy my image. I request you to conduct an inquiry into all this, and against those who are trying to create a scene, without explaining the reality."
He has urged Bommai to immediately constitute an inquiry committee to look into it.
Further, stating that his statement has created a controversy, Jarkiholi said, "As his remarks have been misconstrued and wrongly presented, I'm withdrawing my statement with a good intention that it should not create confusion among the public. If that statement has hurt anyone's feelings, I express my regret."
Jarkiholi, while speaking at Nippani in Belagavi district during an event organised by "Manav Bandhutva Vedike' on Sunday, had claimed that the word 'Hindu' is Persian and has a very dirty meaning.
He had also said that a word and a religion from elsewhere are being forcefully imposed on people here, and demanded that there should be a proper debate in this regard.
Unfazed over the widespread criticism, including from his own party, for his remarks, Jarkiholi on Tuesday had said he was only referring to what has been written and published.
Defending himself and ruling out any apology, he had said he wants a debate on the issue and if proved wrong, would resign as a legislator.
Soon after Jarkiholi's statement had gone viral on Monday, the Congress on its part had rejected it with AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala condemning it on behalf of the party.
Speaking to reporters earlier today, Karnataka PCC chief D K Shivakumar said, "Our party condemns Jarkiholi's statement, BJP may use the issue for politics, we are not bothered. As the President I'm saying -- what he has said is wrong, I will contact him."
Pointing out that Jarkiholi has tried to defend himself by stating that he was referring to a book, he said, "I don't know which book. Our party's stand on our religion and culture has been made clear by AICC General Secretary Surjewala, Siddaramaiah and me. There is no change in it."
The BJP today held a statewide protest condemning Jarkiholi for his controversial statement, and also attacked the Congress party.
At Mysuru Bank circle in Bengaluru, BJP workers staged a demonstration waving saffron flags and shouting slogans "Navella Hindu, Navella Ondu ' (We are all Hindus and are united). They burnt an effigy of Jarkiholi.
Similar protests by burning the Congress leader's effigy, was held in Jarkiholi's home district of Belagavi.
There were reports of protests from various parts of the state including Chamarajanagar, Tumakuru, Karwar, Yadgir, Raichur, Shivamogga, Gadag, Kalaburagi, Kolar, Bagalkote among other places.
Earlier in the day, speaking to reporters in Davangere, Chief Minister Bommai said, "He (Jarkiholi) is saying that his claims were after referring to some books and Wikipedia, whose trustworthiness is questionable. There are several cases. Believing them, if he is making such statements, what to say?"
Hitting out at Congress for taking shelter by stating that the remarks were not made at a party meeting or forum, he said, "The content is important. In an open public meeting, he has clearly said what he had to. Congress has to come out clear, Siddaramaiah (Congress Legislature Party leader) comments on every other thing, why is he silent on this? He has to say what his opinion is."
BJP Parliamentary Board Member and former chief minister Yediyurappa said Jarkiholi's statement "humiliating Hindus is unpardonable".
He urged the Congress leader to apologise stating that he won't repeat it. "If not, people will teach a lesson."
Home Minister Araga Jnanendra too hit out at Jarkiholi and called Congress "dirty", while accusing it of minority appeasement by humiliating Hindus, for the sake of votes.
Challenging Shivakumar, the minister further said, "If he has guts, let him remove Jarkiholi. Both -- supporting such acts and condemning the same -- cannot go hand in hand. Let Congress act similarly as BJP did against Nupur Sharma (for her controversial remarks about Prophet Mohammed)."
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Karnataka legislative session to focus on leadership row, farmers’ issues, flood relief
Belagavi (PTI): The 10-day winter session of the Karnataka Legislature, starting December 8 here, is expected to focus on the Congress leadership tussle, farmers’ grievances, and flood relief.
The unified opposition of the BJP and JD(S) has drawn up a strategy to corner the ruling Congress on multiple issues.
BJP leaders have announced plans to move a no-confidence motion following the leadership row between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar.
Siddaramaiah has asserted that he will complete the full five-year term, while Shivakumar has claimed he was promised the chief ministership midway through the Congress government’s tenure.
The power tussle intensified after the government completed two-and-a-half years on November 20.
Following a war of words on social media, the two leaders later presented a united front through ‘breakfast diplomacy’. However, the fight is far from over, as the party's high command held a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday to discuss the issue in detail.
Congress general secretary K C Venugopal told reporters in Delhi on Saturday that the party had discussed Karnataka and that further meetings are expected. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said on Thursday that the government has not received any notice of a no-confidence motion from the opposition.
Farmers’ protests have given the opposition additional ammunition to target the government.
About a month ago, sugarcane growers staged an unprecedented strike, blocking roads to demand Rs 3,500 per tonne against the state government’s offer of Rs 3,200 per tonne.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sought the Centre’s intervention, citing flaws in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), which remains frozen at Rs 31 per kilogram, leaving mills unable to pay farmers.
He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revise the sugar MSP, ensure mills can pay farmers, provide assured ethanol offtake for Karnataka distilleries, and issue a central notification for handling and transportation costs to enable transparent, farmer-friendly pricing.
To calm the agitating farmers, the state government offered an additional Rs 100 per tonne, shared equally by the state and mills, raising the net cane price to Rs 3,200-3,300 per tonne.
After the sugarcane strike, maize growers have also protested, demanding procurement at Rs 3,000 per quintal.
The current MSP is Rs 2,400 per quintal, and farmers are seeking a Rs 600 bonus. Ahead of the session, the state government announced increasing maize procurement from 20 quintals per farmer to 50 quintals at Rs 2,400 per quintal.
The session will also see the tabling of 21 bills, including measures to check hate speech and hatred crimes, a law against misinformation, the Daily Wage Employees Welfare (Amendment) Bill, and the Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill.
Other key bills include the Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-Categorisation in Reservation) Bill, the Karnataka Domestic Workers (Social Security and Welfare) (Amendment) Bill, and the Karnataka Apartment Ownership (Regulation) Bill.
Law and order issues may also come up during the session in light of recent incidents of robbery and dacoity across the state.
